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For the marine shipping industry to cut its carbon footprint in half by 2050, promising technology will need to become reality, and efficiency gains will need to increase as well.
Lucy Nicholson | Reuters

Amazon and IKEA are among the major companies pushing the ocean shipping industry to adopt zero-carbon fuel sources for vessels by 2040.

Marine shipping accounts for 1 billion tons of carbon emissions per year, according to the Clean Air Task Force, which worked with the Aspen Institute on a plan to accelerate a marketplace for zero-carbon shipping among the world’s largest cargo ship owners. The announcement on Tuesday included other consumer-facing companies such as Patagonia, Brooks Running, Inditex, Michelin, Unilever, Tchibo, and Frog Bikes. The announcement did not include cargo companies.

In 2018, the International Maritime Organization set an initial goal of cutting carbon emissions from international shipping by at least 50% by 2050 compared to 2008.

According to Clean Air Task Force research, for the IMO to reach its goals a large part of the international shipping fleet would need to transition to net-zero-carbon fuels. CATF has cited ammonia as a likely option for marine, though it noted that ammonia is approximately 3-7 times more expensive than conventional marine fuel.

Its research also suggests liquified natural gas as a transition — but only transitional fuel — and small-scale nuclear on-vessel as an underexplored option for the future. It estimated that ships could change over to LNG use for a 15% carbon reduction, but that figure would depend on methane leakage being reduced “well below current levels.”

“In order to combat the climate crisis, we must rapidly decarbonize marine shipping,” Jonathon Lewis, Director of Transportation Decarbonization at CATF said in a statement announcing the consortium of merchants.

CATF stated in its research that U.S. shipping is responsible for 80 million tonnes of CO2 emissions, a figure which is increasing, and for the U.S. shipping fleet to meet the IMO 2050 deadline, use of marine ammonia would need to reach as high as 47 million tonnes.

CATF proposes making marine ammonia from renewables (referred to as green ammonia), nuclear power, or carbon capture and storage operations in industries including fossil fuels (referred to as blue ammonia). But it noted that there is still a long way to go to “make marine ammonia a reality.”

Current ammonia production has a carbon footprint, mostly from within the fertilizer industry.

In March of this year, several of the major cargo companies including Maersk, Fleet Management Limited, Keppel Offshore & Marine, Sumitomo Corporation and Yara International began a study of a green ammonia supply chain at the Port of Singapore.

“Emitting zero CO2 when combusted, ammonia has long been considered as one of the most promising alternative marine fuels to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions within the shipping industry,” the group said in a statement.

“So far, it is unclear which measures could achieve the emissions reduction targeted by the IMO (much less, reductions that are consistent with the Paris Agreement), but it is unlikely that it will be through technology alone,” CATF wrote in its report on transportation decarbonization. And it said, “The shift to ammonia will need an intense globally coordinated effort.”

IMO itself implemented a mandatory data collection system for fuel oil consumption of ships in March 2018, and by 2025, set the goal of new ship builds being 30% more energy efficient than those built in 2014, according to its greenhouse gas reduction plan.

Over the last few years, Amazon has stepped up its commitment to reducing its carbon footprint while it also has taken over more control of its massive logistics operations. In 2019, Amazon first unveiled its pledge to meet the Paris climate agreement goals through the use of renewable energy and new transportation technology, such as electric delivery vehicles, 10 years ahead of the Paris timeline.

Among its most notable carbon-free transportation investments is electric vehicle maker Rivian, which has raised billions from venture investors including Amazon. The retail giant plans to buy 100,000 electric vehicles from Rivian and, by 2020, Amazon said it had already delivered over 20 million packages using electric vehicles. The retail giant rolled out its custom electric delivery vehicles earlier this year and says it will have 10,000 vehicles on the road by 2022.

Amazon’s own logistics footprint has grown in recent years to include direct competition with third-party shipping services. By 2028, Amazon is predicted to acquire 200 airplanes for its freight needs.

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Past classic that deserves the electric update: Buick Electra Grand National

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Past classic that deserves the electric update: Buick Electra Grand National

The current EV era is ripe with revered classic car designs and iconic nameplates that are being reborn as battery-powered rides – and the success of cars the Renault 5 proves it can be a winning formula. Today, I’m suggesting another 1980s classic that deserves a modern electric update: the Buick Grand National.

I want to start this off by saying: yes, I know there was never a Buick Electra Grand National. The storied, turbocharged Buick GNX of yore was based on Buick’s Regal model, not the more ponderous Electra – but this is my article, and I think the “Electra” nameplate belongs on a US-market EV significantly sooner than later.

As for the “Grand National” part, the timeslip will solve that.

Why it would work


Cadillac CELESTIQ; via GM.

Thanks to the nearly $300,000 Cadillac CELESTIQ ultra-luxury car, we’ve already seen GM put a low-slung sedan body on its EV skateboard. That car uses a pair of electric motors, one on each axle, for a 655 hp all-wheel driving experience capable of launching the big sedan from 0-60 mph in just 3.7 seconds.

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Putting those same motors under a shorter, lighter two-door sedan body would put my proposed all-electric Buick Electra at just under 6,000 lbs., and make the new car more than quick enough to earn the Grand National badge with a 3.5-second dash to 60 on its way to an 11.25 (ish) second quarter mile at about 120 mph. As for cost? You could almost name your price, but keeping it just under the Chevy Corvette’s $74,780 base price would make it a winner.

Limit production to 1987 units, make them order-only so dealers can’t ruin the party with obscene markups, and Buick can watch the money roll in … possibly.

You guys are smart, so I’m sure you’ll be able to find all the problems with this particular take – and I can’t wait to hear them! Should it be RWD only? A plug-in hybrid? Scroll on down to the comments and let me know what you think it would take to make a battery-powered Buick GNX revival make sense.

Original content from Electrek.


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Ride farther, climb higher, smile wider – meet the Cikada Touring e-Bike

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Ride farther, climb higher, smile wider – meet the Cikada Touring e-Bike

If you’ve been dreaming about hitting the open road on two wheels with serious power, comfort, and style, the Cikada Touring e-Bike might just be your perfect ride. Designed for modern explorers who want adventure without compromise, this premium e-bike blends high-end performance with thoughtful design.

Smooth power that takes you everywhere

At the heart of the Cikada Touring e-Bike is a BaFang M410 350W motor that packs a punch with 80Nm of torque and provides assisted speed of up to 20 mph.

Mounted at the bike’s center, the motor’s placement creates ideal weight distribution, boosting traction and handling on everything from steep climbs to winding trails. Its compact design integrates seamlessly into the frame, keeping the center of gravity low for a more stable, confident ride that feels naturally in sync with your movements.

You’ll climb hills like a pro and accelerate with ease. It’s efficient, reliable, and perfect for riders who want consistent power for touring, commuting, or weekend adventures. Plus, it’s got walk assistance for when you’re not riding.

Go the distance

Worried about running out of juice? Don’t be. The 720Wh LG 21700 removable battery delivers a range of up to 75 miles (121 km) on a single charge. That’s plenty of power for long scenic routes, daily commutes, or even multi-day rides when you want to explore more and charge less. And when it’s time to juice up again, it only takes six to eight hours to reach full charge.

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Built for comfort and confidence

No matter where the road takes you, the Cikada Touring e-Bike is ready. Its 27.5 x 2.8-inch Kenda anti-puncture tires with reflector strips keep you rolling smoothly and safely, while the suspension fork absorbs bumps across various terrains. Add an ergonomic design and 6061 aluminum frame, and you’ve got a bike that feels stable, balanced, and built to last.

Hydraulic disc brakes give you confident stopping power, and with 8-speed Microshift gearing, you’ll have full control over every incline and descent.

Everything you need, built in

The Cikada Touring e-Bike comes fully equipped for adventure. With integrated rear rack, lights, and mudguards, it’s road-ready right out of the box. No extra accessories needed – just hop on and ride.

Plus, the integrated Bafang system means your motor, sensor, and display all work seamlessly together for a smooth, intuitive riding experience.

Take it to the next level with the Cikada app

Plan, manage, and customize your next adventure with the Cikada app. Available on Android and iOS, it pairs your smartphone to your e-bike via Bluetooth so you can dive into real-time performance data, service tools, and smart ride features that make every journey smoother and more connected. You can track your progress, analyze past rides, fine-tune your ride settings, check your bike’s status, and even share your location or ride stats with the Cikada community, all from one easy-to-use dashboard.

Why riders love it

The Cikada Touring e-Bike is more than just a good-looking ride. It’s a thoughtful blend of power, endurance, and comfort – ideal for riders who want to explore new places, tackle longer distances, or simply enjoy every mile with confidence.

Plus, Cikada offers a 30-day trial period on all its e-Bikes. If you’re not happy, Cikada refunds your purchase, no questions asked.

Ready to tour farther, climb higher, and ride in style? Check out the premium Cikada Touring e-Bike and start your next great adventure.

Follow Cikada on Facebook and Instagram.

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Target picks Chevy Brightdrop for your next Frontdoor delivery

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Target picks Chevy Brightdrop for your next Frontdoor delivery

It looks like retail giant Target has been reading our posts about the Chevy Brightdrop being the best deal in the commercial EV business, because the company has picked GM’s electric box van to pilot a new, dedicated last-mile delivery service in Dallas-Fort Worth.

The new pilot program will see 50 new Chevy Brightdrop vans deployed in a collaboration between Target, Circuit EV Solutions, and a last-mile logistics startup called the Frontdoor Collective that relies on its franchise owners to make its deliveries instead of outsourcing that delivery work to independent contract carriers gig workers.

“We’re building the infrastructure backbone that makes high-volume electric delivery possible nationwide,” said Adam Greenberg, CEO at Circuit EV Solutions. “By ensuring fleets have the charging support they need, we’re removing the final barrier to true EV scalability in last-mile logistics.”

Circuit EV Solutions provides the backbone of the highly-visible Target collaboration, delivering the fleet management and charging software to monitors vehicle health, schedule depot charging, and ensure that every Chevy Brightdrop van leaves the hub with an optimally full battery and a fully optimized delivery route, eliminating range anxiety among the vans’ operators.

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Chevy Brightdrop


Chevrolet BrightDrop ZEVO; via GM.
Chevrolet BrightDrop ZEVO; via GM.

Chevrolet Brightbrop electric vans were designed with last-mile delivery efforts in mind, and offers a best-in-class 272 miles of combined range, large, squared-off cargo hold for maximum capacity, and lower maintenance and fuel costs than the ICE-powered competition.

For independent delivery service providers, that’s a killer combination that can help translate to higher margins and more time back in their busy days to spend with their families – which is something I think we can all get behind.

Click here to find out if your business can take advantage of special tax incentives with the purchase of a new electric van, and click the link, below, to check out a new Brightdrop van near you.

SOURCE | IMAGES: Circuit EV, via Freightwaves.


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Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.

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